Comments on: Dynafit Release Adjustment Tips and Tricks

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:00:07 +0000

Quick question Lou,

I’ve got a pair of Vertical FTs that I’ve been using for the past couple of seasons. I was curious if its okay to take off the brakes to lose a little weight/hassle for big spring tours and add a leash?

I wanna say I’ve heard/read doing so can decrease the lateral release by 1 “release value.” Correct? Anything else I should consider?

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:31:28 +0000

@Andy: Old US Army studies say that 1 pound on your feet is like 6 on your back. I believe those studies were related to hiking (or marching?) in mountainous terrain…not exactly applicable to skiing, but in the ballpark.

By: Lou Dawson

Lou Dawson — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:07:48 +0000

Slows you down more when it’s on your feet, of course, but the effect is not easily defined since the ski somewhat glides or slides with each step. Also importantly, really big heavy setups can eventually hurt you from overuse injury if you really tour them (not just hike a few hundred yards for some sidecountry). Lou

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:32:14 +0000

Further question:
does the weight of the binding/ski/boot make more of a difference when going up hill than the weight carried in the rucksack ??

ie, if you are going to take up additional weight, does it slow you down more if it is in the rucksack or on the boots, or no difference.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:26:08 +0000

ok, I was thinking to but new ski touring equipment
I am not the best off-piste skier in the world and I go up the slope in a slow
manoe, I guess I am perfect !

At the moment I have Atomic off piste ski’s and Nexus 02 bindings – which everybody sez are heavey.

Everybody seems to think that the Dynafit bindings are good and are much lighter.
However some people think that the Dynafit bindings will not release aswell as normal ski touring bindings, with front and back release systems.

Given that I am not the best skier coming down and I do not want to get knee problems …..

My question is does anyone have any advise for me on what I have said, ie will the Dynafit bindings let me out in a safe way to save my knee, when I get into a bad situation coming through the trees ?????

I know that my normal Nexus 02 bindings, will function like normal apline bindings to release me, giving me the best chance to aviod damage to my knee etc.

Any help would be appricated, maybe not the just give up statements !!!